Page 57 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

Roan sat up and pulled his hands out of Walker’s grasp to wipe at his laughter induced tears. “Yeah.”

“You were acting then? When you looked upset by it?”

Roan shook his head and smoothed his fingers through his hair. God, it must be a mess. He cleared his throat and tried to explain. “I didn’t like it. It bothered me. A lot. But, now, right here with you? It’s absurd. That kiss meant nothing to either of you.”

“Hey now,” John said. “Let the home-viewing audience decide that.”

They ignored him. Walker stared into Roan’s eyes. “No, it didn’t.”

Roan shrugged. “It’s the way it works. This show, I mean. You have to do it.”

“But I don’t want to. I only want to—”

Roan looked up at Walker then, not sure if he wanted him to finish that sentence or not. “It’s not a big deal, Walker. And I’m sorry if I made it seem like one.”

Molly popped up behind John and muscled her way into the room. She crossed her arms and glared at both of them. “This is yawn-inducing. Give me something good.”

“Roan and I had something we needed to clear up.”

“I don’t care if someone was dying and you needed to plan their funeral,” Molly said, and Roan winced.

Walker went red with anger. “You watch your mouth,” he snarled and Molly backed away a little.

Wait, did Walker know about his mom?

“Cough up some fucking romance,” she barked. “You guys are the best thing this show has going for it, and you’re acting like little old ladies at a church social. You realize what’s at stake here? If we can’t make a good show out of all this footage, the studio will yank this entire project, and make you pay for the whole deal.”

Walker’s jaw clenched tight as Roan gaped at him and Molly slipped behind John again, still waiting for them to do something ‘romantic.’

“They can do that?” Roan whispered.

“If I breach the contract in some major way.” He glanced at Roan and quickly looked away again. “But she likes to throw threats around. Don’t worry about it. We’ll deliver a good show.”

Shit. It looked like everyone had something to lose on this show. Except for the studio. “So what do they want us to do out here?”

“I’m guessing,” Walker said, “they want me to kiss you.”

“Uh.” Roan stood up on shaky legs, his damp clothes feeling weird and uncomfortable against his skin.

“Wait, wait.” Walker grabbed Roan’s wrist. “Trust me?”

Roan blinked. He thought he did, but he was also very aware they were already being filmed. God knows what they’d edit this into. He sat down beside Walker again on the couch.

Walker gave him a small smile and rubbed his back. “C’mon little lion, just follow my lead.” He twined his fingers together with Roan’s and the zip of that connection jolted up Roan’s arm.

Molly smirked at them. “Finally. Your guy rolling, John?”

“Rolling.”

“We’ll edit some shit in with Luke later,” Molly said. “So tell me, what have you lovebirds been doing back here all alone?”

“Earlier we had a bit of a downpour, and Roan here got good and soaked. Naturally he was a cold and wet, and probably tired. I think he came out here to be alone.”

Roan nodded.

Walker went on, “Now usually on a farm we love some rain, but too much of a good thing can interfere with haying. So that was where my mind went when the rain started. I wasn’t thinking about where Roan was or any of the other suitors, either. I was mainly wondering about the hay fields, and if my farmhands have everything under con—”

“Skip the boring farm shit and get to the good part.”